The research consortium has a pool of qualified and experienced staff in various ageing related issues are drawn from government institutions, CSOs, academia, researchers, media and individuals interested in ageing issues in SADC and the whole African continent. They are organized in four major categories namely: (1) Advisory Board, (2) Secretariat, (3) Research Projects Identification and Resource Mobilization Committee, (4) Research Projects Proposal and Report Writing Committee
1. Secretariat
1.Isaac Kabelenga (PhD): He is the Coordinator for this consortium/think tank. Isaac is the ageing specialist from Zambia. He has undertaken a number of studies and published widely on ageing in Zambia. Isaac is the originator of the idea to establish the research consortium on ageing in SADC, which resulted into establishment of this Think Tank (Southern African Think Tank for Ageing Research). This is because of his passion for the well-being of older people in SADC, Africa and the whole world at large. He is also a full-time lecturer for Postgraduate (PhD and Masters) and Undergraduate Students in Social Protection; Social (Public) Policy; Social Work with Children; Youth, Older People and Families; Disability and Mental Health; Human Rights, Governance and Development; Community Development; NGO Sector Management and Development; and Research Methods in Social Sciences at the University of Zambia (UNZA). UNZA is the highest institution of learning and biggest public university in Zambia. Isaac holds a PhD in Social Sciences from Lapin University in Finland, Master of Science Degree in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE) in the United Kingdom (UK), and Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Zambia (UNZA). At his undergraduate degree at UNZA, Isaac graduated as the overall best student in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. That was because his academic performance was exceptionally outstanding above all his peers from first year to final (fourth) year of study. To keep in touch with Isaac (Coordinator of this Research Consortium/Think Tank), please send an email to these email addresses: ageingconsortiumsadc@gmail.com; 2023kabelengaisaac@gmail.com
2.Ignatius Gutsa (PhD): He is Deputy Coordinator for this Research Consortium/Think Tank. Ignatius is the Co-founder of this think tank. He is the ageing specialist from Zimbabwe. He has undertaken a number of studies and published widely on ageing issues in Zimbabwe. Ignatius is also a Senior Lecturer for Social Work and Community Development at the University of Zimbabwe. To keep in touch with ignatius (Deputy Coordinator for this Research Consortium/Think Tank), please send an email to these email addresses: gnatsio@gmail.com
3.Ogopoleng Batisi (PhD): She is the Publicity Secretary for this Research Consortium/Think Tank. Ogololeng is the Co-founder of this think tank. She is the ageing specialist from Botswana. She has undertaken a number of studies and published widely on ageing issues in Botswana. Ogopoleng works as Civil Servant in Botswana. To keep in touch with Ogopoleng (Public Secretary for this Research Consortium/Think Tank), please send an email to these email addresses: obatisi@gmail.com; obatisi@gov.bw
4.Ms. Anita Kinenda: She is the Deputy Publicity Secretary for this Research Consortium/Think Tank. Anita is Co-Founder for this think tank. She is the ageing specialist from Zambia. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Adult Education from the University of Zambia (UNZA). To keep in touch with Anita (Deputy Public Secretary for this Research Consortium/Think Tank), please send an email to these email addresses: anitakibenda@gmail.com
5.Mr. Benard Kabaso: He is the Administrative Officer for this Research Consortium. Benard is the Co-Founder for this think tank. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Zambia (UNZA). To keep in touch with Benard (Administrative Officer for this Research Consortium/Think Tank), please send an email to these email addresses: kabasobenard@gmail.com
6.Mr. Ntazana Mutungwa: He is the Assistant Administrative Officer for this Research Consortium. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and Bachelors Degree in Public Administration from the University of Zambia (UNZA). To keep in touch with Ntazana (Assistant Administrative Officer for this Research Consortium/Think Tank), please send an email to these email addresses: ntazana.mutungwa@yahoo.com
2.Research Projects Identification and Resource Mobilization Committee
This committee mainly comprises Government officials and CSOs that deal with ageing issues in SADC, and the secretariat of the research consortium. This is meant to enable them identify and recommend areas of research that is needed in their work. This approach is preferable because it would enable the consortium to undertake research that will be relevant to the governments and CSOs in SADC. Currently members of this committee are:
1.Civil Legodu (PhD): Works for the Government of South Africa as a Senior Civil Servant in the Department of Social Development. This is the department which is in charge of well-being of older people in South Africa. Thus, Civil has ample experience in the promotion of the well-being of older people from the Government of South Africa point of view. Civil can be contacted through email: CivilL@dsd.gov.za
2.Mathias Alubafi Fubah (PhD): He is a Senior Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) – Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) Division, Pretoria, in the Republic of South Africa. The HSRC is a statutory body and research institution within the Republic of South Africa that support research and knowledge requirements contributing towards the social progress and development in South Africa and generally within the African continent. The HSRC’s core business is to conduct large-scale, policy-relevant, social-scientific projects for public-sector users, non-governmental organizations and international development agencies, forming partnerships with researchers globally, but specifically in Africa. Mathias can be contacted through email: MAlubafi@hsrc.ac.za
3.Ogololeng Batisi (PhD):Ogopoleng is a Civil Servant in Botswana. She is the publicity secretary for this research consortium. Ogopoleng can be contacted through: obatisi@gov.bw; obatisi@gmail.com
4.Rosemary Sishimba (Ms): She is the Executive Director for the Senior Citizens Association of Zambia (SCAZ). SCAZ is one of the biggest CSOs that is championing well-being of Older People throughout the whole Zambia. Thus, Rosemary has ample experience in the promotion of well-being of older people from CSOs point of view. Ms. Sishimba can be contacted through email: sishimbarosemary@yahoo.com; rosemarysishimba@gmail.com
5.Elisha Sibande (PhD): Is the Executive Director for Good Samaritan (GSSST) in Tanzania. This is one of the main NGOs that is promoting well-being of older people in Tanzania. Thus, he is well experienced in promotion of well-being of older people from CSO point of view. Elisha can be contacted through: goodsamaritan@yahoo.com
6.Luchetu Likaka (PhD) – He is the Executive Secretary at the Centre for Ageing and Rural Development
JSC Bldg. 2nd Floor. Off Nakuru-Nairobi road
P.O Box 4495 -20100
NAKURU, Kenya. Luchetu can be contacted through
Tel: +254(0)20 230 0127, +254(0)722 556 859
Email: cardkenya@gmail.com
7.Isaac Kabelenga (PhD). He is the Lecturer for Postgraduate (PhD and Masters) and undergraduate students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in the Department of Social Work and Sociology. He is a ageing specialist. He is the founder of this research consortium. He is the Coordinator for the research consortium. Isaac can be contacted using these email addresses: ageingconsortiumsadc@gmail.com; 2023kabelengaisaac@gmail.com
8.Ignatius Gutsa (PhD): He is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Community and Social Development at the University of Zimbabwe. He is a ageing specialist. He is the Deputy Coordinator for this research consortium. Ignatius can be contacted through email: gnatsio@gmail.com
4.Research Projects Proposal and Report Writing Committee
This committee largely comprises experienced and in-coming ageing researchers in ageing research, writing research project proposals, research reports, scientific papers for publication in high impact journals, and policy briefs. They are responsible for writing project proposals, undertaking research, data analysis, research reports, writing scientific papers for publication in high impact journals and policy briefs for policy, law and decision makers. The following are the members of the committee:
1.Isaac Kabelenga (PhD) – From Zambia. Email address: ageingconsortiumsadc@gmail.com;
2023kabelengaisaac@gmail.com
2.Ignatius Gutsa (PhD) – From Zimbabwe. E-mail address: gnatsio@gmail.com
3.Ogopoleng Gutsa (PhD) – From Botswana. Email address: obatisi@gov.bw; obatisi@gmail.com
4.Mpho Keetile (PhD) – From Botswana. Email address: mphokeet@yahoo.com
5.Masauso Chirwa (PhD) – From Zambia. E-mail addresses: masauso.chirwa@unza.zm ; chirwamas@gmail.com
6.Lola Adams (PhD) – From Nigeria. E-mail address: loladams28@gmail.com
7.Mathias Alubafi Fubah (PhD) – From South Africa. E-mail address: MAlubafi@hsrc.ac.za
8.Luchetu Likaka (PhD) – From Kenya. E-mail address: cardkenya@gmail.com
9.Mina Ogbanga (PhD) – From Nigeria. Email address: cedsi2000@yahoo.com
10.Ntazana Mutungwa (Mr) – From Zambia. Email address: ntazana.mutungwa@yahoo.com
11.Benard Kabaso (Mr) – From Zambia. Email address: kabasobenard@gmail.com
12.Aquilla Kabelenga (Mr) – From Zambia. Email address: aquillajoekabelenga@gmail.com
13.Anita Kibenda (Mr) – From Zambia. Email address: kibendaanita@gmail.com
14.Blessed Chishimba (Ms) – From Zambia. Email address: blessedmoses8@gmail.com
15.Milazi Kabamba (Ms) – From Zambia. Email address: milazikabamba@yahoo.com